Date:24/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/24/stories/2008072456800500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

995 SC/ST students in elite residential schools

B. Kolappan

“We select the best students through entrance test, and they are capable of competing with other students"

CHENNAI: In an imaginative attempt at Dalit empowerment, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government has admitted 995 SC/ST students to elite residential schools, open only to the affluent sections.

“We are able to get admission in some of the well-known residential schools in the State. Our students are studying in Good Shepherd International School, Udhagamandalam, and St. Anthony’s High School and St Joseph’s at Conoor. Their stay in these schools, and the all-round education they receive, will go a long way in fighting the social obstacles. They will be fully competent to face the challenges,” Adi Dravidar Welfare Minister A. Tamilarasi told The Hindu.

The government runs two schemes: one for those who seek admission to higher secondary classes after completing Std. X; and the other for students entering the middle class. Last year, 300 students, 10 each from 30 districts, were admitted to higher secondary classes. This year, 310 students, 10 each from 31 districts (including the newly created Ariyalur district) got admission. “These students have been admitted to the residential schools mostly in their own districts. It cost Rs. 28,000 per student a year,” Ms. Tamilarasi said.

The scheme for admission to middle school, implemented from the current academic year, has benefited 385 students. “These students, one each from 385 panchayat unions, are in various schools. The fee is quite high in these schools. We have to spend up to Rs 1.5 lakh a student,” she said.

She rejected the notion that the students with a humble background would be bogged down by the inferiority complex because of the elite atmosphere prevailing in the residential schools. “We select the best students through entrance examinations, and they are quite capable of competing with other students in these schools. There are boys who insisted on going to a particular school. Moreover, we cannot shirk the responsibility by citing all these reasons,” she said.

Welcoming the scheme, Viduthalai Chiruthaikal MLA T. Ravikumar said the government should also implement other guidelines of the Planning Commission for utilising the special component plan. “The government should come forward to start special schools in every district, polytechnics in all blocks and colleges for girls.”